What is the purpose of a seal failure in a compressor system?

• A. To isolate the compressor if the seal fails.
• B. To increase the capacity of the compressor.
• C. To mix seal oil with process gas.
• D. To vent the entire system to the atmosphere.

Answer: (A)

A seal on a compressor is there to keep the process gas from leaking along the shaft into other parts of the equipment or environment. When that seal fails, the safest, most controlled response is to isolate the compressor from the system to prevent a large, uncontrolled release and to allow a safe shutdown. This isolation minimizes any potential hazard and protects both personnel and equipment.

Increasing capacity is not a result of a seal failure; it would be counterproductive and indicate a problem. Mixing seal oil with process gas would be a fault condition, not the intended purpose of the seal failure. Venting the entire system would release material broadly and is not how a seal fault is managed; containment and isolation are the correct actions.